Plan Commission approves special use for indoor softball training facility in Antioch

The Village Plan Commission approved a special-use permit to allow a 2,800-square-foot indoor softball training facility at 935 Kearney Court (PIN 0208405043) after a staff recommendation and brief discussion by commissioners.

James Viselli, providing the staff report, told the commission the subject site is a vacant industrial building in the village business park and that recreational uses are allowed in the Business Park District although indoor training facilities are not explicitly listed. "The granting of special use will not endanger the public health, safety, welfare," Viselli said, recommending approval with standard conditions including compliance with the village engineer and the fire protection district.

Viselli described the proposal as a 2,800-square-foot indoor training center and said the site contains 66 parking spaces; staff estimated demand would not approach the 44 spaces the formula would require for other uses. He said the community development director has discretion to determine whether the use requires a special permit and that staff concluded the use is consistent with the district.

Commissioner Mannigan asked whether a nearby facility had the required license; Viselli said it was licensed and that prior approvals had passed even if a tenant had not yet moved in. Resident Turner, who asked to speak during the discussion, said he drives about 30 minutes to the closest facility now and asked whether the applicant would allow use for baseball as well. "I'm happy to hear that something like this is coming to Antioch," Turner said.

A commissioner moved to approve PZB 25-08 "as presented by the staff," and the motion was seconded by Miss Carson. The commission recorded affirmative roll-call responses and the motion carried. Staff reiterated the conditions that approval is subject to compliance with the village engineer and the fire protection district. The meeting then moved to adjournment.